132: Retirement Life

"The Black Market is located at the border of Yuqing Ward. Working there as a supervisor earns you fifty contribution points per month. It's not much, but it's easy work..."

Perhaps feeling he had lost face in front of Han Yi just now, Cai Yu strode ahead, constantly explaining various matters in the Black Market to Han Yi, attempting to regain his Senior Brother's dignity.

Han Yi followed Cai Yu along the main road of Yuqing Ward. After a few turns, they arrived at the border between Yuqing Ward and Changning Ward.

The Crimson Flame Sect's Black Market has a very special location.

To the left was the bustling, crowded Yuqing Ward, while to the right was the ungoverned Changning Ward.

Strangely, the facilities in Changning Ward here were brand new, showing none of the dilapidation seen in other areas. Even more strangely, the original market enclosures had all been removed, leaving only a surrounding wall.

Walking down the alley, at the end, there was a large gate, with some houses and pavilions nearby.

At this moment, in the pavilion, there was a bamboo and rattan recliner covered with an animal hide.

A middle-aged man, who looked about the same age as Cai Yu, seemed to be lying on the recliner, snoring.

"Lao Wang, wake up!"

Cai Yu felt much more relaxed returning here, as comfortable as if he were back home.

"Huh?"

"Go to the back to pay the entrance fee..."

The middle-aged man on the recliner was kicked awake by Cai Yu and mumbled groggily.

"Wang Dong, there's a newcomer!"

"Ah?"

The middle-aged man named Wang Dong jolted awake and jumped off the recliner.

"Where?"

He exclaimed with surprise.

"Senior Brother Wang Dong!"

Han Yi cupped his hands and bowed. He also took the opportunity to glance at Wang Dong. His strength was similar to Cai Yu's; he also belonged to the group of people whose potential had been exhausted due to age.

But Han Yi vaguely felt that this person looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

"Huh?"

Wang Dong also had this feeling. He let out a surprised sound.

"Junior Brother Han Yi, have you been to the Black Market with Senior Brother Pan before?"

"Hmm... I think there was such a thing..."

Han Yi paused slightly, recalling the situation when he obtained his first xuan yin stone. At that time, Pan Sheng had indeed brought him to the Black Market, and the person on duty at the entrance then seemed to be the person in front of him.

"Haha, I said, why did Junior Brother look so familiar? I didn't expect it..."

Wang Dong sighed with emotion. He hadn't expected that Han Yi, who he had seen as just a small follower beside Pan Sheng back then, would now become their colleague. He couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

"That's great! So Lao Wang, you already know Junior Brother Han Yi. It saves me a lot of explanation..."

Cai Yu said with a smile from the side.

"Alright, that's pretty much the job. Junior Brother Han, do you have any other questions?"

After the three of them were seated, Wang Dong and Cai Yu began to explain the specific duties in the Black Market to Han Yi. Han Yi had already heard a rough outline of these matters when he visited Huang Ze. What Wang Dong and Cai Yu said was quite similar, just with more details.

Currently, including Han Yi, there are a total of four Inner Sect Disciples in the Black Market: Han Yi, Cai Yu, Wang Dong, and Lin Ping. There are eighty Outer Sect Disciples.

However, Lin Ping was off today and not present.

The Black Market's duty is divided into daytime and nighttime. The Outer Sect Disciples are in groups of ten, totaling eight groups, rotating in two shifts a day to patrol the four sides of the Black Market, preventing troublemakers and collecting entrance fees. However, if there are important matters, they must report them to the Inner Sect Disciples for handling.

Before Han Yi came, the three of them, Cai Yu, worked one day each, day and night, which was quite strenuous.

But now, with the four of them, Han Yi and the others, they can form groups of two and share the responsibilities.

"Then let's settle on this. I'll be in a group with Han Yi, and Wang Dong will be in a group with Lin Ping. We'll rotate every seven days, how about that?"

"Okay..."

Han Yi nodded in agreement.

This job in the Black Market was indeed leisurely. He would work for seven days and rest for seven days. During his rest, he could go out and take on tasks from the Bureau of Unusual Matters. There weren't many duties during the normal working days, so he could use the time for cultivation.

"Han Yi, Lin Ping is off today. I'll take you to meet him another day... Let them recognize you today..."

After everything was discussed, Wang Dong suddenly looked up and spoke.

"?"

Han Yi was a little confused.

"Over there..."

Cai Yu smiled without speaking and pointed casually.

They saw eighty Outer Sect Disciples already lined up on an open space, waiting.

This open space was located between the main gate and an alley. The walls in the alley were high, and the overall tone was gray and dark. Passing through this alley led into the Black Market.

Beside the open space were rows of sheds, which were for the Disciples to rest during night duty.

Han Yi quickly scanned the surrounding environment and then looked at the eighty Outer Sect Disciples.

Swords at their waists, strong and sturdy, although they wore ordinary gray robes and their overall strength was only around the '7~10' Refined Skin combat level, they all held their heads high and were full of vigor.

"Good day, Master Han!"

The eighty Outer Sect Disciples shouted in unison, like thunderous drums, attracting attention. Their eyes were fixed on Han Yi, and many people in the Black Market also turned their gaze towards this spot.

I didn't expect that I could also become a master...

Han Yi scoffed inwardly. Who would have thought that the little fellow who used to dig for food in the mine could reach this point today?

Immediately, a surge of pride arose in his heart, and a trace of excitement showed in his eyes. Wasn't practicing martial arts for this very day?

Afterward, under Cai Yu's guidance, Han Yi looked at the rooms for night duty. He also followed Wang Dong to learn how to handle daily matters.

Thus, time quietly passed.

Creak!

On this day, Han Yi was comfortably lying on the recliner. On the mahogany table next to him was a set of translucent green jade tea ware, with high-quality Maojian tea brewing inside, hissing with hot steam.

Since Han Yi had completed two shifts with Cai Yu and the others, he had officially begun his retirement-like, laid-back life in the Black Market.

Han Yi felt very comfortable. He had people to serve him food and drinks, and the daily work was handled by the Outer Sect Disciples. He didn't even need to buy the pills for cultivation himself, but would occasionally get them from Bai Sanren.

Now, Han Yi only needed to stroll around the Black Market in the morning and evening. It was a way to relieve boredom and the irritability caused by cultivation.

Although guarding the Black Market only earned him fifty contribution points per month, Han Yi had checked in the Sect. The 'Fire Origin Pill', which was essential for cultivating the "Huoyuan Skill", only required one hundred contribution points to exchange for the amount needed for the initial stage.

In other words, he only needed to slack off at work for another two months to attempt to enter the initial stage of "Huoyuan Skill", and then find an opportunity to see if he could use Yuan Power Value to fill it up and thus break through to the Tongmai Stage!

In short, everything was developing on the right track, just as Han Yi had expected!